US '100 pc' behind Japan after N Korea missile launch: Trump

President Donald Trump on Sunday assured America's full support to Japan after North Korea test fired a ballistic missile in an apparent act of provocation.

"I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, it's great ally, 100 per cent," Trump said in a brief statement during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He did not elaborate on the issue.

His comments came after Abe denounced the North Korea's missile launch - the first after Trump became the President - at a hastily organised joint briefing at Mar-

a-Lago, Florida.

"North Korea's most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable," Abe told reporters. "North Korea must fully comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

The joint news conference lasted for less than three minutes. The two leaders were talking to reporters after spending the day at a golf course and discussing US-Asia engagement.

"During the summit meeting that I had with President Trump, he assured me that the US will always [be with] Japan 100 per cent, and to demonstrate his

determination as well as commitment, he is here with me at this joint press conference," said Abe, who spoke via a translator.

In a statement, the US Strategic Command said it detected a North Korean launch of a medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missile. It occurred near the

northwestern city of Kusong and the missile was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command determined the missile launch from the North did not pose a threat to North America, the statement said.

Earlier, Trump told reporters that he and Abe had a great time together. "We got to know each other very, very well."

Trump and Abe arrived at Mar-a-Lago Friday evening from Washington DC aboard Air Force One.

The White House had said that Donald Trump "enjoyed hosting" Abe on the golf course. It has been described as the retreat because "both relaxing and product

ive." as said by sources.